A woman who killed her boyfriend and blamed someone else leading to their arrest on suspicion of murder has been jailed for nine years.

Dee Lawrence, 32, stabbed Jack Delany in the abdomen following a row on April 15, 2018. He died hours later.

The defendant, who carried out the attack in her flat in Columbia Close in Gloucester , was convicted by a jury of manslaughter. She was cleared of murder at Bristol Crown Court.

Before she was handed her prison sentence, prosecuting barrister Ramin Pakrooh read out a moving statement from Mr Delany’s mother Rosie Ashwood, detailing her pain at the loss of her son.

“Jack was my life for 25 years and sometimes the grief of this tragic event is so overwhelming I cannot breathe,” it began.

“I make this statement with great sadness, I loved him very much and he loved me.

“Jack had a way of making me laugh no matter what.”

She added that she has asked herself whether she could have rescued him.

“Dee took Jack away from us and away from me," she added.

A new picture of Jack Delany released by police following the verdict

Mr Pakrooh said the only evidence Mr Delany was armed came from the defendant.

Lawrence claimed she acted in self defence as the victim had a knife.

“The knife in the top of the cupboard could not have been in the hands of the deceased,” said Mr Pakrooh.

Lawrence shouted from the dock: “It’s not true.” The judge said: “Miss Lawrence be quiet.”

Mr Pakrooh said the aggravating features of the case, which lasted several weeks, included the knife, lies in the 999 call and then subsequently.

A wholly innocent person who she originally blamed was detained for three days before his alibi was found to be true.

“The Crown says if you put a knife into the stomach of another you intend to cause the victim at least significant harm,” added Mr Pakrooh.

Relationship went downhill

Throughout the trial, details of Lawrence’s relationship with Mr Delany were revealed.

They had both been homeless and at first their coupling was ‘characterised by mutual affection and love,’ said the judge Mrs Justice Cutts.

But the court heard it went downhill, Mr Delany had three convictions for assaulting Lawrence and was prevented from contacting her through a court order.

Jury members were told nevertheless that Lawrence let Mr Delany stay with her and police would often be called to the Gloucester flat.

The case heard of a ‘scuffle’ they had on the morning of the incident, before the row which led to Mr Delany’s death.

The stab wound caused severe blood loss and he died in the early hours of April 16.

Dee Lawrence (Image: Gloucestershire Constabulary)

Defending Lawrence, James House QC began by saying: “The loss of a young man is a tragedy. Nothing I say now diminishes that.”

He said the incident was not sustained and ‘must have taken a second or two’.

He told how Lawrence loved Mr Delany, despite the nature of their relationship and like him, she had battled personal problems.

“She will have to live with the fact she is responsible for his death, albeit unintended,” added Mr House.

Sentenced to nine years

Sentencing Lawrence to nine years in prison, judge Mrs Justice Cutts said her thoughts are with Mr Delany’s loved ones.

“I have read the impact statement from his mother who speaks of his positive qualities- he was funny and quick witted, a man who had a way of making others laugh,” she said.

“His loss has caused what she describes as ‘huge emotional devastation’ within the family. She herself has struggled to come to terms with the fact that she has outlived one of her children and continues to suffer deep pain.

“She has yet to find peace. His death is a tragedy.

“I am conscious that whatever sentence I impose on you today cannot begin to compensate his family for their loss.”